Time to unbatten the hatches for spring

As I shovel my way to the potting shed and curse this winter’s accumulation of snow, I find it hard to believe that the final countdown to spring has begun.

All it takes is a little warm weather to start the spread of spring fever. That and the plethora of spring inspired events that invade our fine city at this time of year. Exhibitors and attendees of recent shows including the Winnipeg Boat Show, the Growing Local Conference, the RV Show, the Cottage County Show and the ever popular Seedy Saturday have already caught the bug. If you missed your chance to get in on the action or haven’t found enough inspiration… a couple upcoming events that are sure to invoke visions of spring include the Home and Garden Show, March 15 to 17 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre and Gardening Saturday, March 23 at the Canadian Mennonite University.

Further opportunities to gear up for the gardening season ahead can be sourced on internet sites such as sharingbackyards.com, a free service that "connects gardeners with garden plot owners". On a more local front, sustainablesouthosborne.com, home to the Sustainable South Osborne Community Co-op, also offers a community garden-share program.

For those of you with a little extra time on your hands, the Riverview-based Fruit Share Manitoba is expanding. In addition to facilitating harvests throughout Winnipeg, the Steinbach and Brandon regions have recently jumped on the Fruit Share bandwagon.

In anticipation of increased demand they are seeking fruit lovers to add to their list of volunteers. If you’d like to help share in this year’s bountiful harvest, or have other skills that you would like to share, check them out at fruitshare.ca, where they have a host of exciting volunteer opportunities to choose from. You can also see Fruit Share’s founder, Getty Stewart, on stage at the Forks Market this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Agriculture in the City event ,or visit with them next week at their Gardening Saturday display.

If the abundance of snow yet to melt is dampening your spring spirit, try sweeping the cobwebs off your rubber boots, stomp in a few puddles (you might have to make your own), walk down to your community club, start your spring cleaning, get the garden tools out, or take your bike down to the South Osborne Bike Hub for a tune-up… whatever it takes.

The time has come to unbatten the hatches and start putting a little spring back in your step.

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All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.